Page 181 of 526

4–77
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors. The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function when the shift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever (automatic transmission) is shift\
ed to the reverse (R)
position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-81.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Lights/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Warning Beep
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) or Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system notifies the
driver of the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes to the rear of your\
vehicle using the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights and the warning beep while the systems are
operational.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights are equipped on the left and right door
mirrors. The warning lights turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in a\
n adjacent
lane is detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the malfunction warning light turns on momentarily and
then turns off after a few seconds.
Forward driving (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system operation)
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects vehicles approaching from the rear and
turns on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors
according to the conditions. Additionally, while a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
light is illuminated, if the turn signal lever is operated to signal a t\
urn in the direction
in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light is illuminated, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 772015/03/10 9:55:17
Page 182 of 526

4–78
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Reverse driving (Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operation)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and
right of your vehicle and flashes the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights.
Function for cancelling illumination dimmer
If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights turn on when the parking lights are
turned on, the brightness of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights is dimmed.
If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights are difficult to see due to glare from
surrounding brightness when traveling on snow-covered roads or under fog\
gy conditions,
press the dimmer cancellation button to cancel the dimmer and increase t\
he brightness of
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights when they turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-13.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning beep
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning beep is activated simultaneously with the
flashing of a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 782015/03/10 9:55:17
Page 183 of 526

4–79
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF
Indicator Light
When the ignition is switched ON, the
malfunction warning light turns on
momentarily and then turns off after a
few seconds. The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF
indicator light illuminates when the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch
is pressed to turn off the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems. A malfunction in the system may
be indicated under the following
conditions. Have your vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The light does not turn on when the
ignition is switched ON. The light remains turned on even if the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch
is operated. It turns on while driving the vehicle.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Switch
When the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) switch is pressed, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA) systems are turned off and
the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF
indicator light in the instrument cluster
turns on.
If the switch is pressed again, the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems become
operable and the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) OFF indicator light turns off.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 792015/03/10 9:55:17
Page 185 of 526

4–81
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)*
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system is designed to assist the driver in checking the
area to the rear of the vehicle on both sides while the vehicle is rever\
sing by alerting the
driver to the presence of vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and
right sides of the vehicle while the vehicle is being reversed out of a \
parking space, and
notifies the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
and the warning buzzer.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) operation
1. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operates when the shift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever (automatic transmission) is shift\
ed to the reverse (R)
position.
2. If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle, the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 812015/03/10 9:55:17
Page 186 of 526

4–82
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
WARNING
Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in
reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at the rear when putting
the vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may not flash or it might be delayed even
though a vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to
check the rear.
NOTE
In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator \
light turns on and
operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)\
OFF indicator
light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warnin\
g
lights has occurred. A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred. There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear). Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods. The temperature near the radar sensors becomes extremely hot due to driving for long
periods on slopes during the summer. The battery voltage has decreased.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 822015/03/10 9:55:17
Page 187 of 526

4–83
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
The vehicle speed when reversing is about 10 km/h (6 mph) or faster. The radar sensor (rear) detection area is obstructed by a nearby wall or parked
vehicle. (Reverse the vehicle to a position where the radar sensor detection area is no
longer obstructed.)
Your vehicle
A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.
Your vehicle
The vehicle is parked on a slant.
Your vehicle
Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch and the system
becomes operable.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice adheres to the door mirrors. The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
Turn off the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system while pulling a trailer or while an
accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise,
the radio waves emitted by the radar will be blocked causing the system \
to not operate
normally.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 832015/03/10 9:55:18
Page 189 of 526

4–85
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
CAUTION
Do not apply accessories, stickers or film to the windshield near the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC).
If the area in front of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) lens is obstructed, it will cause
the system to not operate correctly. Consequently, each system may not operate normally
which could lead to an unexpected accident. Do not disassemble or modify the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
Disassembly or modification of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) will cause a malfunction
or mistaken operation. Consequently, each system may not operate normally which could
lead to an unexpected accident. Heed the following cautions to assure the correct operation of the Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC).
The direction of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) has been finely adjusted, therefore
do not change the installation position or remove the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC). Be careful not to scratch the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) lens or allow it to get dirty. Do not remove the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cover. Do not place objects on the dashboard which reflect light. Always keep the windshield glass around the camera clean by removing dirt or fogging.
Use the windshield defroster to remove fogging on the windshield. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer regarding cleaning the interior side of the
windshield around the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC). Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer before performing repairs around the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC). The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed to the windshield. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for windshield repair and replacement. When performing repairs around the rearview mirror, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer. Do not hit or apply strong force to the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) or the area around
it. If strong force is applied, stop using the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and
the High Beam Control System (HBC) and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The direction in which the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is pointed has been finely
adjusted. Do not change the installation position of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
or remove it. Otherwise, it could result in damage or malfunction.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 852015/03/10 9:55:18
Page 190 of 526

4–86
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
In the following cases, the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cannot detect target objects
correctly, and each system may be unable to operate normally.
The height of the vehicle ahead is low. You drive your vehicle at the same speed as the vehicle ahead. Headlights are not turned on during the night or when going through a tunnel.
In the following cases, the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) may not be able to detect
target objects correctly.
When driving next to walls with no patterning (including fences and lon\
gitudinally
striped walls). The taillights of the vehicle ahead are turned off. A vehicle is outside the illumination range of the headlights. The vehicle is making a sharp turn, or ascending or descending a steep s\
lope. Entering or exiting a tunnel. Heavy luggage is loaded causing the vehicle to tilt. Strong light is shone at the front of the vehicle (back light or high-beam light from on-
coming vehicles). There are many light emitters on the vehicle ahead. When the vehicle ahead is not equipped with taillights or the taillights\
are turned off at
nighttime. The vehicle ahead has a special shape.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 862015/03/10 9:55:18